The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1887-12-09

sent the increased price Of the wool from twenty.
Ave sheep and s36 that from the wool Of nifty
sheep and at present values this addition would
its sale the farmer receives this less tariff
profit, the wool leaves his hands charged with,
precisely that sum; wmen IN al i,s ehanges Will
When manufactured into cloth and other ods
and material for use. it's cost is only increased
to the extent OF the farmers tariff prof. bnt n
further sum has been added for the ben ht uf the
manufacturer under the operation OF a. aer tariff
laws.
In the meantime tho day arrives when the
farmer finds 1t necessary TO purchase WOODEN
goods and material to clothe himself AMI family
for the winter. When ne faces tho brakeman
for that purpose. he discovers that he il Obliged
not only TO return in the way of increased prices.
his tariff profit on the wool he sold and which
then perhaps lies before him In manufactured
form, but that he must add considerah.e sum
by tariff duty on the manufacture Thus In
tho end, he Ia aroused to the fact that he has
the tariff scheme which, when he sold his wool
seemed so profitable, an increase In price more
than sufficient to sweep away all the tariff profit
sold.
When the number of farmers eng aged In wool
raising IL compared with all the farmers in the
country. and the small proportion they bear to
our population Is considered; when 1t is made
apparent that, in the of large part Of those
who own sheep, tho benefit OF the present tariff
on wool is illusory; and, above all, when 1t must
ing caused by such tariff. becomes a burden upon
those with moderate means. and the poor the
employed and the unemployed, the sick and
well, aud the young aud old and that Il consti-
tutes u tax which. with relentless grasp, Is fast
ened upon the clothing OF every man, women.
and child in the land reasons are suggested why
the removal or reduction Of this duty should be
included in revision of our tariff laws.
In speaking Of the increased cost to the con-
sumner Of our home manufactures, resulting from
q duty laid upon imported articles OF the same
description, the fact Is not overlooked that COM
petition among our domestic producers some
times has the effect Of keeping the price Of their
duty. But 1t Ia notorious that this competition
ia too often strangled by combinations quite pre-
valent at this time and frequently called trusts.
supply and price of commodities made and sold
by mspnbers Of tho combination. The people
Gun nra tio,y fope os aor r ~ tue
ever, in the absence OF such combination,
healthy an. free competition reduces the price
duction below the limit which il mil hit otherwise
reach under our tariff laws, and II. with suoh re-
duced price, Its manufacture continues to thrive.
it is entirely evident that one thing has been
discovered which should be carefully scrutinized
in an effort TO reduce taxation. The necessity OF
combination to maintain the price of any COM
modityl o the tariff point furnishes proof that
some one is willing to accept lower prices for
such commodity, and that such prices are re-
munerative; and later prices produced by conf
petition prove the same thing. Thus where
either of these conditions exist a case would
seem to he presented for ali easy reduction OF
taxation
The considerations which have been presented
touching our tariff laws are intended only to en-
force an earnest recommendation that the sur
plus revenues OF the government be prevented by
the reduction Of our customs duties, and. at the
same time, to emphasize suggestion that In ac-
complaining this purpose, we may discharge a
double duty to our people by granting to them q
measure OF relief from tariff taxation In quarters
where It Ia most needed and from sources where
| 1t can be most fairly and justly accorded. Nor
can the presentation made OF such consideration
be, with any degree Of fairness, regarded as evil
dence of unfriendlyness toward our manufacture
ing interests, or Of any lack OF appreciation OF
their value and Importance. These interests
constitute q leading and most substantial eie-
proud proof OF our country's progress. But II In
the emergency that presses upon US our manu-
IRE geod dsS nS 20 Gr
otisrn, as we'll as grateful recognition OF ad-
vantages already afforded, should lead them to
they shall forego all the dement's Of governmental
regard; but they cannot fail to be admon-
ished OF their duty, as well as their enlightened
of the fact that financial panic and collapse, TO
which the present condition tends, afford no
greater shelter or protection TO our manufactures
tunity for safe, careful and deliberate refortn Ia
now offered; and poiie Of us should be- unmind-
full OF time when an aeusad and irristed people,
Needless Of thoss who have resisted timely and
reasonable relief, may insist upon radical and
sweeping rectifcation of their wrongs,
The difficulty attending wise and fair revis-
vison OF our tariff laws Ia not under-eat imated.
1t will require the part OF congress great labor
and care and especially broad and national
contemplation OF the subject, and patriotic dis
regard of such local and selfish claims as are I'M
reasonable and reckless OF the welfare Of the en-
tire country.
Under our present laws more than 1000 articles
are subject to duty. Many OF these do not in any
way compete with our own manufactures, and
many are hardly worth attention as subjects of
revenue. A com idcrable reduction can be made
in the aggregate by adding them to the free list.
The taxation of luxuries present no features Of
hardship but the necessaries OF life used and
consumed by all the people, the dutS upon which
adds to the cost OF living in every nome, should
be greatly cheapened. The radical reduction OF
the duties imposed upon raw material used In
manufactures, or Its free importation, 10, Of
course an important factor in any effort to re-
duce the price Of these necsssaries; 1t would not
only relieve them from the increased cost caused
by tho tariff on such material but the manufact-
ured product being thus chenpened that part OF
the tariff now laid upon such product, as q com.
pensation to our manufacturers for the present
price OF raw material, could be accordingly mod.
fled. Such reduction, OF free importation, would
revenue. 1t is not apparent how
such a change can have any. injurious
IL would appear to give them better chance In
foreign markets with the manufacturers of other
countries who cheaper their wares by. free ma
the si,' opportunity Of Offending their sales sales
beyond tho limits OF homo Oonsump-
tion saving Thorn from tho depression.
interruption In business and loss caused by o
glutted domestic market, and affording their en-.
ployes more certain and steady labor, with its
sultng quiet and contentment.
The question thus imperatively presented for
solution should be approached in q spirit higher
than partisansh!p, and considered In the light of
that regard for patriotic duty which should
characterize the action Of those intrusted with
the veal OF q conhding people. But the obliga-
ton to declared party policy and principle 10 not
wanting to urge prompt and effective action.
Both OF the great political parties now repre-.
sented In the government. have, by repeated
and authoritative declarations condemned the
condition Of our laws which permit the collec-
ton from the people Of unnecessary revenue,
and have, in the most solemn naapney, promised
us correction; and neither as citizens or psrti-
sans are our countrymen In a mood To copdopc
the deliberate violation OF these pledges,
Our progress toward wise conclusion will not
be improved by dwelling upon the theories OF
protection and free trade This savors too much
OF bandying opithets It is Q condition which
confronts us--pot q theory. Relief from this
condition may involve q slight reduction of the
advantages which We award our home produc-
tons, but the entire withdrawal Of such advan-
tages should not be contemplated. The question
of free trade is absolutely irrelevant and the per-
sistent claims made in certain quarters, that all
effort TO relieve the people from unjust and I'M
necessary taxation are schemes Of so-called free
traders, Is miscellaneous and far removed from
any consideration for the public good. Tho
simple and plain duty which we owe the people